Kaptur Heralds $7 Million Head Start Award to Lorain County Community Action Agency, Inc.
July 29, 2016
Lorain, OH — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) heralded the announcement today that the Lorain County Community Action Agency, Inc. (LCCAA) has been awarded $7,068,984.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of their annual funding for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, a slight increase in funding from last year’s award. The Head Start programs have had measurable success on learning outcomes throughout children’s lives.
“Whether a child speaks 4,000 words or 400 words makes a huge difference in that child's learning, educational advancement and ability to find and keep a good job in the future," said Rep. Kaptur. “Day care providers, home based daycare centers and family centers bring children in need together with caring adults. I congratulate the Lorain County Community Action Agency on their continued commitment to our youngest citizens by providing them with great early learning programs that will have a life-long impact.”
“LCCAA is a working example of the power of Head Start in the lives of young children and their parents,” said Jackie Boehnlein, President and CEO of LCCAA. “We are proud to share that this year all of LCCAA’s directly-operated centers for Head Start have the highest quality rating available in Ohio at Five Stars.”
From the Lorain County Community Action Agency website:
“LCCAA’s federally funded comprehensive child development program serves 987 preschool age children. A total of 1,274 were enrolled throughout the year with full enrollment at 987 maintained by filling vacated slots from the program’s waiting list.
Early Head Start serves 40 pregnant women, infants and toddlers. A total of 51 were enrolled throughout the year with full enrollment maintained by a waiting list.
Children from birth to age 5 (and pregnant women) are automatically eligible if they are receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Children who are homeless or in foster care are also automatically eligible.
Families with an income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are also eligible. To promote interaction among children of all backgrounds, LCCAA’s program allows for up to 10 percent of households to be above 130 percent of poverty.”